Ireland laboured to a 43-15 victory over Fiji at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday wrapping up a scrappy fixture ahead of their upcoming clash with world champions South Africa.
Head coach Andy Farrell made seven personnel changes and two positional switches following last week’s 42-12 win over Argentina, but the hosts struggled for fluency early on. Tommy O’Brien opened the scoring with an eighth-minute try wide on the left, but Fiji struck back when Josua Tuisova powered over from a lineout maul and Peceli Yato scored following a break by Jiuta Wainiqolo to seize a 12-7 lead.
Fiji’s performance showed marked improvement from their previous 54-17 loss to France, with the influence of South African coach Jake White becoming increasingly visible in their tactical approach.
Robert Baloucoune restored order before the break by running in two tries, the first after Fiji fly-half Ben Volavola dropped a high ball and the second following an overthrown lineout. Ireland’s ball security had been notably lacking during this opening period in the face of Fiji’s dynamic defensive pressure.
Ireland asserted themselves through the forward pack after the interval, depriving Fiji of possession and running in four unanswered tries. Hooker Ronan Kelleher dived over at the start of the second half. Gibson-Park, who had previously been held up short in the 15th minute, provided an outstanding 55-minute performance before being replaced by Craig Casey.
Loosehead prop Andrew Porter bulldozed over from close range in the 54th minute, shortly after a yellow card was issued to Fiji replacement prop Inoke Ravuiwasa for a swinging arm. Prendergast, who orchestrated much of the late-game momentum, cross-kicked for O’Brien’s second try in the 60th minute.
Nick Timoney completed the scoring by stretching for the line two minutes from full-time, while Fiji’s attempts to narrow the gap faltered when Luke Tagi had a try disallowed for a knock-on and Tevita Ikanivere lost control of the ball near the try line.
The win carried a physical cost as centre Jamie Osborne was forced off in the fourth minute with a rib injury, with Stuart McCloskey taking his place. These injuries add to a mounting list for Farrell, who is already without hooker Dan Sheehan due to concussion protocols and No 8 Sean Jansen, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the Nations Championship with a knee injury sustained against Argentina.
Despite the disruptions, Tadhg Beirne, who captained the side in Dublin for the first time, expressed the emotional weight of the occasion. “It’s particularly special doing it at the Aviva, at home,” said Beirne. Beirne, who has missed only three Tests since the 2023 Six Nations, is preparing the team for next week.
Farrell maintained that his selection was not experimental, noting, “There’s always one eye on what’s coming. That’s my job, to have that in mind. But 100 per cent, the whole focus has just been about Fiji, and that’s what matters about us improving our performance this week.”